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Lewes resident brings local touch to new TV station

Michael Sprouse is the arts & entertainment reporter for the area's new NBC-affiliate television station, WRDE Coast TV. BY MELISSA STEELE

Melissa Steele

July 23, 2014

Lewes resident Michael Sprouse has worn a lot of hats in his day – artist, curator, stage manager, musician to name a few.

Now, he can add television reporter.

The new arts and entertainment reporter for WRDE Coast TV, a new NBC-affiliated station based in Lewes, said he can't wait until his weekly segment airs.

“I'm really excited about it, and I think everyone is going to enjoy it,” he said.

Sprouse said he has worked out a schedule through September with local entertainment and attractions.

There is a ton of talent in surrounding states, he said; many artists eventually make their way to Rehoboth Beach.

The weekly art and entertainment report will air on Wednesdays during the 6 and 11 p.m. news shows.

Sprouse said one week, he may feature an upcoming art show, another week a band coming to the area and the week after that he may highlight a local theater production.

“The goal is to have people tune in every Wednesday and see what's going on,” Sprouse said.

Sprouse grew up in Bowling Green, Ky., and earned a bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University. During college, he spent time in Athens, Ga., playing in a band called Herman Nelson and rubbing elbows with the likes of REM and the B52's.

In 1990, he moved to Washington, D.C., where worked as a curator and co-owner of eklektikos gallery in D.C.'s Georgetown area. Sprouse also honed his own art skills, from abstract paintings to portraits based on vintage photography.

“I had a great time, met a lot of movers and shakers,” he said.

After 9/11 and the stock market crash, Sprouse said, he was ready for a change, and the beach seemed like a perfect fit. He opened an art gallery, Zwaanendael Gallery of Art in Lewes, and later worked as a stage manager for Clear Space and the Rehoboth Beach Theatre of the Arts.

With his experience, Sprouse said he knows what questions to ask and will be able to develop unique stories on the local art and entertainment scene.

“I'll be going for behind-the-scenes involvement,” he said. “The job is going to be fun because I'll get to talk to a lot of my friends about what's going on.”

Sprouse said to expect his arts and entertainment show to run in about a week. The program will air on local Comcast channel 9 and on HD channels 209 and 809. It is on Direct TV channel 31; channel 31 on Dish Network starting July 30; and can be found on 31.1 using a basic antenna.

WRDE Coast TV has offices at 17585 Nassau Commons Blvd. in Lewes. To contact the station go to www.wrdetv.com